Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Daring Bakers make fraisiers

This was the perfect challenge for July, I think. There were still strawberries in the market, and who doesn't love a light, moist cake crammed full of berries and cream. When I say crammed, I do mean it in the most elegant way, with the cut fruit showing on the sides. Oh, and the almond paste on top was the crowning glory. I wasn't sure that I would be able to make this cake, as I am working in Toronto and I haven't got the kitchen equipment or the time that I do at home. However, I did find a springform pan in the cupboard and decided that I would make this for some friends. With a borrowed rolling pin and a trip to the market I was all set.

I followed the challenge recipe this time, using Amaretto in the syrup and making a vanilla chiffon cake. I had no trouble with the cream filling setting up, but I did find that the cake recipe didn't work as well as the one I usually make. There was some confusion over pan size, and I used the 8" pan recommended. The pan was dark and non-stick, not my preference for cake pans. It rose far above the top of the pan, then sunk a bit when it cooled, leaving me with a mushroom shaped cake. Not ideal, so I sliced it into 3 layers and only used the bottom 2. This made a cake that easily served 10. I decided to keep the decoration simple, so made only a single marzipan rose. All in all, a delicious cake, and one I'll be making again with other fruit, though I will use my favourite genoise recipe next time. What should I use next, raspberries or cherries?

Have I mentioned that I am also cat-sitting in Toronto? There are 2 beautiful, but incredibly inquisitive Siamese cats who made it very hard to make and photograph this cake. Not only does one circle my feet and bite them and my ankles whenever I am in the kitchen, but they shed a lot! So, after a thorough de-hairing of the kitchen, I got to work, shooing the cats as necessary. That means about every 30 seconds. The next morning, before racing out the door to work, I tried to get some photos, in the only place with decent light: the floor in front of the window. Well, you can see below how well that worked! The feline cake inspectors approved, I think.

Thanks very much to Jana of Cherry Tea Cakes for this challenge. There were some spectacular cakes this month, so check them all out on the Daring Kitchen homepage. Click here for the full challenge PDF, including recipes, links and photos. I hope that I can make the August challenge from another borrowed kitchen, this time in Montreal, but we'll see....

28 comments:

As always, you did it perfectly. Extra points for you for doing such a great job in a kitchen that is not the one with all your stuff (I usually have a hard time doing that). You made me laugh with that shot of the cats... did they actually lick the cake??

Amazing that you were able to create such a stunning cake without your regular kitchen and tools. And with two inquisitive and shed-y cats, to boot! If anyone could pull that off, it is definitely you, and you did it stunningly. Amazing as always.

MAry, you amaze me! When Ifirst looked at the rose I did a double take - I really wan't sure it it was real or created. Your fraisier looks delectible. And you won over two very harsh critics in those cats, too! Be safe in your travels and in the borrowed kitchens!! And you are welcome to travel here to my kitchen any time you want!! ;)

Those cats are hilarious! I had an inquisitive 2 year old watching me but at least she knows what it means when I tell her to stand back. Your cake looks absolutely beautiful. Nice job on the challenge!

I vote for cherries in your next attempt - cherries and amaretto sound like they'd pair well! I also did this challenge in a borrowed kitchen, away from home - it definitely added an extra element of challenge to the challenge! Great job, it looks delicious :)

Thanks for the comment! Your creation is stunning, as always - and amazing what you are capable of in a borrowed kitchen! I finally found some curry leaves today and can't wait to tackle the Daring Cooks' challenge. Thanks for a great post this month. :) s

Kudos to you for finding a springform pan in someone else's home and getting great photos in spite of feline obstacles. Your dedication paid off with another beautiful result. The rose is such an elegant topper.